Half Of A Yellow Sun - Bfi, London Film Festival (semi Review)

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As mentioned earlier I didn't think I was going to get to see this film as the tickets for each venue sold out before I could blink my eyes. I heard at a different screening "Just go to a venue very early and you just might get a ticket." Risky- but it did work.

I can say what the film was like to me in one word - "Hmmmmmmm"... and obviously you all know what I mean BUT...

Beautifully shot and on the most part beautifully acted is about as good as it gets. Coupled with wonderful music. Chiwetel & Onyeka Owenu are by far the best things in the film. And the costumes were brilliant!

Probably because we all know the book the film simply lacks a heartbeat and far too much 'characterisation' is lost (or rather not explored), as well as, part of the plot being just 'suggested'.

I think the adaptation of the book just isn't anywhere near strong enough; people that have not read the book will probably like it much more than I did.

I'm not going to go into much detail but I'm sure that 'real' Nigerians, that are obviously far closer to the 'story', will at most 'like' the film (not that I think we are the primary audience)... I doubt any of 'us' will crossover into 'love' for the film.

Of the 2 Nigerian films I saw at the BFI this year I personally prefered 'Mother of George'... which even though is a told-a-million-times 'Nollywood' story felt so much more authentic and exciting. Even 'Onye Ozi', a very, very low-budget film, that premiered 3 days ago, entertained me about a hundred times more than this.

Oh well, I'm glad I've seen it, will not be buying the DVD. I will, however, be seeing it again if & when it gets a general release in the cinemas here with friends just so we can chat about it afterwards.

My highlights of the night - getting my pic taken with the Director (sadly this showing didn't have a Q&A). And meeting some very interesting people that didn't have tickets at the time either lol... we all went for a coffee afterwards.

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Oh and by the way I personally didn't find the accents to be annoying be it from black or white foreign cast. And I liked Hakeem Kae-Kazim in it. The one thing I didn't like that much was what they said about Odumegwu Ojukwu... but my lips are sealed!

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"To Bandele this is just the beginning. He is currently working on an online series called "Shuga" and has high hopes for the country's movie industry. "The future of Nigerian film is very good," he said."

I no run, I talk wetin I wan talk as I see am and feel am nah abi? E no good? Casting was good as it was (to me), forgive me but I wont be getting into a debate about it - certain things are subjective; some people will like the chosen cast and some won't.

Well-Known Member

I no run, I talk wetin I wan talk as I see am and feel am nah abi? E no good? Casting was good as it was (to me), forgive me but I wont be getting into a debate about it - certain things are subjective; some people will like the chosen cast and some won't.